How to plan a legendary family ski vacation in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Jackson Hole in Wyoming is the must-do resort for most expert skiers, but how does it shape up for family ski vacations? Andrew Dent heads for the mountains to find out.

Next generation skiers © Jackson Hole Resort

No expert skier can really say they’ve done it all until they’ve done Jackson Hole; the legendary Wyoming resort known for Corbet’s Couloir and often listed in people’s ‘top five gnarly resorts’. But is it just as good for a family ski vacation? Everything I’d heard, suggested not, so I was pleasantly surprised to be proved wrong.

Jackson Hole Aerial Tram © Jackson Hole Resort

It couldn’t be easier to get to Jackson Hole

Firstly, how do you get there? It’s actually very easy, as non-stop flights from either Calgary or Vancouver to Salt Lake City take from just over two hours. Then from Salt Lake it’s a one-hour hop to Jackson Hole, and anyway, all journey time becomes a distant memory when you see the surroundings.

Jackson Hole is set at the base of the Teton Mountains, close to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park, so the views are stunning, you may even see moose by the roadside on the drive from the airport.

Teton Village © Jackson Hole Resort

Cowboy-town-vibes or cute Teton Village? You choose

The main town of Jackson is about a 20-minute drive from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort itself, and you can either stay at the base of the slopes in the Teton Village area or opt for Jackson’s cool cowboy-vibe town. I chose the former, and the Snake River Lodge and Spa doesn’t disappoint. Situated right in the base station, the hotel offers all the good things about American hotels: massive rooms, massive beds, massive breakfasts, and with a kid-friendly swimming pool and ski shop in the basement it’s ideal for families. Teton village has a good choice of restaurants and an ice rink, so you’ll certainly want to take the kids downtown; an easy trip thanks to regular shuttle buses.

Mountain Sports School © Jackson Hole Resort

The main Jackson Hole event is always the ‘mountain’

Now for the main event, the mountain. Let’s cut to the chase, most of it is steep, very steep indeed. It’s also extremely big. In fact, there are moments when you’re standing on a normal blue piste and feel yourself leaning downhill in a disconcerting fashion. So it quickly becomes clear why this place holds the reputation it does and why it feels like it is for grown-ups, which no doubt parts of it are. But hold on, what is this I see below me as I ascend in a bubble lift? It’s a kids club, then a beginners area, as on closer inspection, the resort has an amazing set up for children: more of that later.

To start off your vacation, I would recommend booking a private ski guide for the day. It costs around $1,782 for a group of up to five which, although that seems expensive, is definitely a good investment. The guides are amazing skiers, super friendly and skilled at making sure the whole group is well looked after. Plus, it’s a great way to get an understanding of the mountain.

Corbet’s Couloir  © Jackson Hole Resort

Don’t miss the aerial view of Corbet’s Couloir

Jackson Hole boasts 130 named trails, with 50% marked expert, 40% intermediate and just 10% beginner. There are no less than 27 of the most advanced Double Black Diamond runs here, many of them – including Corbet’s Couloir – can be found off the mighty Aerial Tram lift.

This is worth a ride even if you aren’t skiing, as you can grab a bite at Corbet’s Cabin, take in the massive views and then catch the tram back down. On the way you’ll sail over the entry to Corbet’s Couloir and possibly see some crazy person dropping in the 10-feet or so to start the infamous run.

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Starting young © Jackson Hole Resort

Raising the next generation of skiers and snowboarders

Jackson Hole’s stated mission is to raise the next generation of skiers and snowboarders and the staff genuinely love to share their passion with children. There’s a fun Kids Adventure Map with pins for children to collect as they travel around the resort and different grades from Bears to Bisons, Wolves and Eagles. The main beginners area is called Solitude Station which is just a two minute ride up from the main base.

National Elk Refuge © Jackson Hole Resort

What’s happening in Jackson Hole when you aren’t skiing?

There’s also plenty to do here when you’re not skiing. The famous Granite Hot Springs are worth a visit and dog sledding or snowmobiling will be a firm favourites with the kids. Downtown there are lots of cool shops and art galleries around the main square, and the National Museum of Wildlife Art is a fun couple of hours for all the family.

Admittedly this isn’t the cheapest family ski vacation, but it is worth the money. It’s spectacular, on and off the mountain, children will love the cowboy town and everyone’s skiing will improve, significantly. Though most important of all for me, I can now hold my own with other gnarly ski bros and say: I skied Jackson Hole and loved it.

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